Ramo Vigrahavan Dharmah
रामो विग्रहवान्धर्मः
Also known as: ramo vigrahavan dharmah · ramo vigrahavan dharmah sadhuh satya parakramah · rama is dharma incarnate verse · maricha praise of rama · valmiki ramayana rama verse
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✦ Meaning
This single, majestic shloka from Valmiki's Ramayana is one of the most quoted descriptions of Sri Rama. Spoken by the demon Maricha to warn Ravana, it declares Rama to be dharma personified — virtuous, of unfailing valour, and the rightful king of all the world like Indra among the gods. Devotees cherish it as a concise affirmation of Rama's divine nature and use it as a brief, powerful salutation.
Origin & Story
Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kanda (words of Maricha to Ravana) · Maharishi Valmiki · Ancient (Treta Yuga setting; classical epic)
In the Aranya Kanda of Valmiki's Ramayana, Ravana approaches the demon Maricha to enlist his help in abducting Sita. Maricha, who had already once felt Rama's power, tries to dissuade Ravana by extolling Rama's greatness. In this verse he declares that Rama is dharma embodied, of unfailing valour, and the king of all the world like Indra among the gods — a warning that to oppose Rama is to oppose righteousness itself.
✦ As told in scripture
It is striking that this supreme praise of Rama comes from the mouth of a demon, Maricha — testimony that even Rama's foes could not deny His divinity and righteousness; tradition holds that to remember Rama as 'dharma incarnate' aligns the devotee with the very power of truth.
The Mantra
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रामो विग्रहवान्धर्मः साधुः सत्यपराक्रमः । राजा सर्वस्य लोकस्य देवानामिव वासवः ॥
Ramo Vigrahavan Dharmah Sadhuh Satya-Parakramah | Raja Sarvasya Lokasya Devanam-iva Vasavah ||
Meaning:Rama is righteousness (dharma) itself given a living form; He is virtuous and noble, and His valour is ever true and unfailing. He is the king of the whole world, even as Indra (Vasava) is the king of the gods.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Ramo Vigrahavan Dharmah
A concise, powerful affirmation of Sri Rama as dharma incarnate
Recited to invoke Rama's protection and the strength of righteousness
Inspires courage and adherence to truth and dharma in the devotee's own life
Easy to memorise as a brief daily salutation to Sri Rama
Draws on the authority of Valmiki's Ramayana, sanctifying the remembrance
Steadies the mind on Rama as the noble, ever-true Lord of all
How to Chant Ramo Vigrahavan Dharmah
Recite this verse with devotion as a brief salutation to Sri Rama, reflecting on its meaning — that Rama is dharma in living form, of unfailing valour, the king of all the world. It may be chanted on its own as a daily affirmation, or added before Rama japa and the Hanuman Chalisa. Repeating it eleven times with a steady mind strengthens one's resolve to walk the path of truth and righteousness.